Ordinary Time, 5th Sunday. Today's Old Testament reading from Job is quite the downer. But from time to time we have to admit that life looks just like drudgery. We are tempted to do more of the same, but it doesn't work. We are also tempted to cut corners, but that doesn't work. Of note here in light of recent political events are the ways that people see their own fertility as a threat and a burden. So what's the answer? A relationship with God. Because Jesus is constantly receiving the love of God, he can give it out generously.
(5 Feb 2012)
05 February 2012
29 January 2012
Ord4 - Total Gift
Ordinary Time, 4th Sunday. There are many unclean spirits that we need Jesus to cast out of us. We need help! Jesus knew this, so He shared with us His Mother Mary. My twin started to discover the power of Mary’s intercession and encouraged me to do St. Louis de Montfort’s “Total Consecration to Mary.” I used to wonder why Mary seemed to take care of me. I reflected back and realized that Mary had helped me because I had done the Total Consecration years ago.
The Total Consecration consists of 33 days of preparation beginning on February 20th and ending on March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. I want to invite you to join me.
One of the most famous devotees of this Total Consecration was Pope John Paul II. He discovered devotion to Mary and it changed his life. It also saved his life. He survived an assassination attempt on 13 May 1981. John Paul II commented, “One hand fired the shot and another hand guided the bullet.” May 13th is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.
I won’t promise that if you do the Total Consecration you’ll become bulletproof. But I will promise miracles. Mary wants us to be happy and holy. She wants us to know her Son. But she isn’t one of these women who will barge into your business; she waits to be asked. If you haven’t felt the power of Mary’s intercession, perhaps it’s because you haven’t asked.
(29 Jan 2012)
The Total Consecration consists of 33 days of preparation beginning on February 20th and ending on March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. I want to invite you to join me.
One of the most famous devotees of this Total Consecration was Pope John Paul II. He discovered devotion to Mary and it changed his life. It also saved his life. He survived an assassination attempt on 13 May 1981. John Paul II commented, “One hand fired the shot and another hand guided the bullet.” May 13th is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.
I won’t promise that if you do the Total Consecration you’ll become bulletproof. But I will promise miracles. Mary wants us to be happy and holy. She wants us to know her Son. But she isn’t one of these women who will barge into your business; she waits to be asked. If you haven’t felt the power of Mary’s intercession, perhaps it’s because you haven’t asked.
(29 Jan 2012)
22 January 2012
Ord3 - Pray like a Champion Today
Pray Like a Champion Today
Ordinary Time, 3rd Sunday. All of Wisconsin thought the Packers were going to the Super Bowl. What did the Packers do wrong to lose their first playoff game? Coach McCarthy said they were weak on fundamentals. In my opinion they thought they were good enough. And because they thought they were good enough, they didn't go out and really play like champions. I'd love to give the Packers a hard time but I can't. The more I think about it the more I realize that we Christians do the same thing.
We think we're "good enough" so we don't bother to play like champions. We are content to come to church from time to time, pray occasionally, and follow some of Jesus' rules. We are weak on fundamentals. That's why we aren't ready to face life's adversities. It's why when things get difficult, our faith feels weak. Here are the fundamentals of being a Christian:
What is one thing we need to repent of?
Thirty-nine years ago today abortion was made legal in the United States. Since that day, over 50 million of our own children have died from legal abortion. Now 1/3rd of these generations is missing. Monday is a day of fasting and prayer in reparation for sins against human life. We may be tempted to say that it isn't our concern; we haven't been involved, and that's good enough. But Jesus didn't call us to be "good enough". He called us to be champions. Pray like a Champion today.
(22 Jan 2012)
Ordinary Time, 3rd Sunday. All of Wisconsin thought the Packers were going to the Super Bowl. What did the Packers do wrong to lose their first playoff game? Coach McCarthy said they were weak on fundamentals. In my opinion they thought they were good enough. And because they thought they were good enough, they didn't go out and really play like champions. I'd love to give the Packers a hard time but I can't. The more I think about it the more I realize that we Christians do the same thing.
We think we're "good enough" so we don't bother to play like champions. We are content to come to church from time to time, pray occasionally, and follow some of Jesus' rules. We are weak on fundamentals. That's why we aren't ready to face life's adversities. It's why when things get difficult, our faith feels weak. Here are the fundamentals of being a Christian:
- Daily prayer. "Pray like a Champion"
- Weekly Mass. Don't miss your practices, if you want to play well all week.
- Frequent Conversion. Go to Confession; get rid of sin.
- Give generously. Share with the needy. Share your faith.
- Grow in your faith. Read. Study. Learn about it.
What is one thing we need to repent of?
Thirty-nine years ago today abortion was made legal in the United States. Since that day, over 50 million of our own children have died from legal abortion. Now 1/3rd of these generations is missing. Monday is a day of fasting and prayer in reparation for sins against human life. We may be tempted to say that it isn't our concern; we haven't been involved, and that's good enough. But Jesus didn't call us to be "good enough". He called us to be champions. Pray like a Champion today.
(22 Jan 2012)
08 January 2012
Chr2 - An Humility Epiphany
[Readings for the Epiphany of the Lord]
Today the Church celebrates the moment when wise men from the East arrive bringing gifts for the Baby. Ancient Christians saw this as a bigger feast than Christmas. This feast gives the first inkling that Jesus is not just the king of the Jews, but that His Gospel will be meant for all nations. The three gifts tell us about the child:
(8 Jan 2012)
Today the Church celebrates the moment when wise men from the East arrive bringing gifts for the Baby. Ancient Christians saw this as a bigger feast than Christmas. This feast gives the first inkling that Jesus is not just the king of the Jews, but that His Gospel will be meant for all nations. The three gifts tell us about the child:
- Gold. A gift fit for a king. Jesus sits on his mother's lap like a throne and receives tribute.
- Frankincense. A gift for the High Priest.
- Myrrh. Used for embalming, it reveals that he will be our Sacrifice and will die for us.
In the first reading, Israel had tried to make itself powerful by alliances with other countries. It failed and went into exile. Now Israel is a more humble country. Pride blinds the other nations; the humble Israel can see clearly. Instead of scraping riches together, God delivers them for His faithful people.
The Gospel teaches the same lesson. The wise men humbly follow the star, ask for directions, and accept the humble child. Herod is too proud to offer Jesus homage; he wants the world to serve him.
I have started praying for humility. Every time I pray for humility, I get humbled in some way. It isn't fun but it's necessary. When we are humble we serve the true king. We are able to see clearly and we begin to realize an amazing truth: our God is a humble God.The Gospel teaches the same lesson. The wise men humbly follow the star, ask for directions, and accept the humble child. Herod is too proud to offer Jesus homage; he wants the world to serve him.
(8 Jan 2012)
26 December 2011
Christmas - The Best Gift
Christmas Eve. We love all kinds of things about Christmas: Presents, family, the tree, cookies.... The first Christmas didn't have any of those things. But they were still happy because they had Jesus. Our Lord and Savior had given up all his riches as the Lord of the Universe to come and be with us. Why did he do that?
Because He loves us.
Jesus was willing to become small, innocent, tiny, and helpless -- a little baby in a poor family -- for love of us. We can be tempted to think that God is some distant force that doesn't really know us or care but us. But God became one of us in Jesus Christ to prove that He loves us so much that there is nothing He would not give up for us. That's what Christmas is all about: God cared enough to give us His very best.
Where do we experience this love for ourselves? In the Eucharist. The word Bethlehem means "House-of-bread." Jesus was laid in a feeding trough. He becomes food for our souls. In the Eucharist we encounter God's love for us personally. How do we repay His "I love you?" By loving Him in return. Love is the best gift we can give Him in return.
(25 Dec 2011)
Because He loves us.
Jesus was willing to become small, innocent, tiny, and helpless -- a little baby in a poor family -- for love of us. We can be tempted to think that God is some distant force that doesn't really know us or care but us. But God became one of us in Jesus Christ to prove that He loves us so much that there is nothing He would not give up for us. That's what Christmas is all about: God cared enough to give us His very best.
Where do we experience this love for ourselves? In the Eucharist. The word Bethlehem means "House-of-bread." Jesus was laid in a feeding trough. He becomes food for our souls. In the Eucharist we encounter God's love for us personally. How do we repay His "I love you?" By loving Him in return. Love is the best gift we can give Him in return.
(25 Dec 2011)
18 December 2011
Adv4 - What are you getting Jesus for His Birthday?
Advent, 4th Sunday. Imagine throwing a birthday party for all your closest friends. They all come to celebrate with you and they bring fantastic gifts. But then they give their gifts to each other… no one brought a gift for you, and it was your birthday! That would be strange, wouldn’t it? But that’s how we celebrate Christmas every year. It is the birthday of Jesus, but instead of getting Him a gift, we give gifts to everyone else.
We are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. But in order to really appreciate what the birthday of Jesus means we need to go back to the beginning. God prophesied a Messiah and the Jewish people thought that meant another great king like David. But God had even better plans: He himself wanted to become one of us. God is our relation!
Mary got to conceive Him, hold Him, care for Him — and they grew closer and closer together. The first gift of Christmas is not something but Someone: Emmanuel, God-with-us. God is not a big, powerful, impersonal force. God is content to put himself into our hands, and to be vulnerable and helpless before us. He was willing to be a child in our hands; are we willing to be a child in His hands? Mary gave Jesus the gift of herself; she made space for Him in her life.
What are we going to give Jesus for His birthday?
(18 Dec 2011)
We are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. But in order to really appreciate what the birthday of Jesus means we need to go back to the beginning. God prophesied a Messiah and the Jewish people thought that meant another great king like David. But God had even better plans: He himself wanted to become one of us. God is our relation!
Mary got to conceive Him, hold Him, care for Him — and they grew closer and closer together. The first gift of Christmas is not something but Someone: Emmanuel, God-with-us. God is not a big, powerful, impersonal force. God is content to put himself into our hands, and to be vulnerable and helpless before us. He was willing to be a child in our hands; are we willing to be a child in His hands? Mary gave Jesus the gift of herself; she made space for Him in her life.
What are we going to give Jesus for His birthday?
(18 Dec 2011)
11 December 2011
Adv3 - Rejoice! The Lord is Near
Advent, 3rd Sunday. [not recorded live]
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near (Phil 4:4-5)
These are the words of our entrance antiphon for today’s Mass. It’s “pink candle Sunday”, when we celebrate passing the half-way point of Advent. That means that Jesus is near us. Advent is a season for realizing our need for God. Unfortunately, most people don’t discover until after Christmas that you can’t make yourself happy and you can’t buy joy. Peace on earth and joy to the world are gifts. God is the one who gives them to me.
I’ve managed to stay joyful in the midst of a flood of funerals. I think it’s because I’ve been remembering to pray. In fact, I even got one of the nicest compliments I have ever received. Someone said I acted “Christlike.” Every Christian should be told that. Have others seen Christ in you? Have you seen Christ in others? John the Baptist witnesses to Christ. We know when we see John the Baptist that Jesus can’t be too far behind. In the same way, if others see Jesus through us, He must be close by.
The bad news is that we can’t make ourselves happy. The good news is that God can. Rejoice! The Lord is near.
(11 Dec 2011)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near (Phil 4:4-5)
These are the words of our entrance antiphon for today’s Mass. It’s “pink candle Sunday”, when we celebrate passing the half-way point of Advent. That means that Jesus is near us. Advent is a season for realizing our need for God. Unfortunately, most people don’t discover until after Christmas that you can’t make yourself happy and you can’t buy joy. Peace on earth and joy to the world are gifts. God is the one who gives them to me.
I’ve managed to stay joyful in the midst of a flood of funerals. I think it’s because I’ve been remembering to pray. In fact, I even got one of the nicest compliments I have ever received. Someone said I acted “Christlike.” Every Christian should be told that. Have others seen Christ in you? Have you seen Christ in others? John the Baptist witnesses to Christ. We know when we see John the Baptist that Jesus can’t be too far behind. In the same way, if others see Jesus through us, He must be close by.
The bad news is that we can’t make ourselves happy. The good news is that God can. Rejoice! The Lord is near.
(11 Dec 2011)
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